Wednesday 29th April

Cambridgeshire Women’s Invitation Cup Final

Heading into Cambridgeshire this Wednesday evening for the first game of a cup final double bill, starting with the Women’s Invitation Cup Final, the counties senior women’s competition, followed by the Junior Invitation Cup Final on Thursday between Newmarket Town Women Development and Soham Town Rangers Ladies. This evening it’s the main event the Invitation Cup final a repeat of last season’s final too as holders Cambridge United WFC taking on Histon Ladies.

  The venue the same too being played at Cambridge City FC’s new stadium at Sawston, the on going building work to the main stand due to be completed over the summer. This season’s finals played between two sides with very contrasting season’s under their belts.

  Dare I say it but in the end a season to forget for Cambridge United WFC, what started as a promising new era, under newly installed manager Sean Greygoose with changes behind the scenes and new players brought in the FAWNL South East Division One side long established in tier 4 of the women’s football pyramid, were up to 4th in the table early on with 4 straight wins, a few changes to the squad senior players let go and young talent recruited a poor run followed this lead to the unexpected departure of the manager just when the squad bringing in new faces needed to settle rebuild momentum looking very much to the future a baptism of fire for interim manager Sam Carrington, Cambridge picking up just a single point from their final 10 matches finishing 10th in the table.

 Cambridge United WFC for a long period the leading forces for women’s football in Cambridgeshire now fully integrated with the men’s club, have long dominated the county cup in Cambridge, along with Cambridge City a healthy rivalry, have mixed thing’s up in recent season’s playing their U18’s and last season a mixture of both U18’s and 1st team, this season 5 first team players can be played along with any not having played 50% of first team games and with so many new faces added to the squad can field a strong side as they look to end a tough season on a high. The future bright, will be playing in Cambridge itself for the first time I can remember having followed them at Ely, the Mildenhall and St Neots, always knowing they needed to be in Cambridge itself build themselves a concrete supporting base.

 Histon Ladies are most definitely on a high saw them at the weekend complete a remarkable achievement going a whole season without dropping a single point in the league, 22 wins from 22 to become champions of ERWFL Division One North and clinch promotion back to the 5th tier of women’s football. The foundations laid by Matt Payne bringing his Great Shelford side to Histon in 2017, took a few season’s to get the club back into the ERWFL but have been on the rise ever since, Kevin Jacklin brought to the club with a wealth of experience in the women’s game leading them to runners-up spot last season took the opportunity to further strengthen the coaching set-up bringing in Darren Marjoram let go by Cambridge United WFC despite leading them to another county cup success joined by Cambridge United legend, Liz Pamplin, to lead the club to a memorable campaign.

  Sophie Hopkin with over 100 appearances for the club, only one of two players left from the Great Shelford era, the other Abi Davies returning to the club after a spell at United herself. Evie Nicholls rattling in the goals for Histon out in front as the leagues top goal scorer with 37 goals, have the tightest defence in the league too, conceding just 15 goals a title winning combination for sure, fancy their chances of causing an upset this evening but Cambridge United won’t give up the trophy lightly beating Histon 2-0 last time around to lift the cup. 

  Road to the Final

Byes for both sides in the 1st Round of the Invitation Cup, into the 2nd Round, Cambridge United away to Cambridge Rangers WFC from Cambs, Division One, goals from Bella Simmons, Jade Bell, Millie Docking and Lauren Cullum seeing United 4-0 up at the break, Emilia Reinhardt and a 2nd for Cullum in the 2nd half seeing the game won 6-0. Histon away to Cambs Division Three newcomers, Linton Granta Women, a huge gap between the sides, Histon wracking up a double figure score with Evie Nicholls scoring 4 goals, Molly Banks and Sophie Hopkin netting a brace each and goals to for Ella Marden and Hannah Seymour-Shove. Final score 10-0.

 Into the quarter finals, Cambridge United progressing without a ball with opponents Wimblington Ladies plagued by injuries having to pull out. Histon at home taking on fellow Division one North side Fulbourn Institute Bluebirds, Nicholls again amongst the goals smashing home a hat-trick to see the game won 3-1.

 The semi-finals seeing the 4 strongest sides in the county go toe to toe, Cambridge United away to Cambridge City Women slowly beginning fortunes around after a difficult couple of season’s, Drawing 0-0 until the final quarter hour Mollie Coupar firing United into the lead from the penalty spot, Reinhardt charging down the keeper to add a 2nd then another in stoppage time to secure a 3-0 through to another final. Histon at home taking on Newmarket Town Women also playing in Division one North, a single goal settling this one scored by Abi Davies to send Histon into their 2nd successive final.

 Cambridge City FC’s new stadium in Sawston hosting the Invitation Cup final for the 2nd successive season, the large grass pitch overlooked by an impressive stand with elevated seating, work still on going on the interior but making progress, plenty of food and drink on offer, been good this year haven’t had a cheeseburger yet but the one’s at the ground are too good to resist so indulged myself. The weather pleasant a warm day a bit of power in the sun starting to set behind the main stand creating a shadow across the pitch could pose a few issues.

Cambridge United WFC starting XI – Lauren Webb, Isabelle Beeson, Lauren Rouse (C) Beatrice Rogers, Eleanor Townsend, Ellie Curson, Tally Miles, Sammy Edgar, Mollie Coupar, Matilda Thomas O’Keefe & Emilia Reinhardt. Subs – Daisey Jeckell, Katie Hayes, Millie Docking, Hannah Mitchell & Annabel Ferguson.

 Histon Ladies starting XI – Keeley Robinson, Eloise Page, Abi Davies, Laura Leyland (C), Claire Krueger, Jess McCrae, Molly Banks, Tash Collins, Ella Marden, Sophie Hopkin & Evie Nicholls. Subs – Mollie Childerley, Gabriella Giussani, Sabrina Ghosh, Hannah Seymour-Shove & Summer Taylor.

(roll on roll off substitutes)

 Should the scores be level after 90 minutes the final will be settled by a penalty shootout.

A change of ends at the start of the game with Cambridge putting the sun at their backs, Histon to have kick-off, wearing their all blue away strip, Cambridge in wearing amber shirts with black shorts and socks. The ball played into Molly Banks in the middle lifts a long ball out to the right wing as Tash Collins races forwards, Isabelle Beeson dealing with it for Cambridge. A large pitch both sides comfortable using the width offered a competitive start a little unsettled both sides into the other Cambridge getting a free-kick for a foul on midfielder Sammy Edgar.

Histon pressing in the final 3rd Sophie Hopkin getting in to close the ball down hoked high up into the box with Ella Marden coming in off the left to attack it, Cambridge goalkeeper, Lauren Webb with the comfortable catch. Eloise Page getting in the challenge as Mollie Coupar finds Ellie Curson on the left. Cambridge attempting to get players on quickly mount an attack left Eleanor Townsend linking up with Matilda Thomas O’Keefe, Abi Davies with support from Collins getting the ball out for a throw.

Marden breaking forwards on the left flank for Histon as Hopkin hooks the ball on stretching to get her leg up to deliver the cross on the by-line, the ball is claimed by Webb high at the far post.

Histon pressing well getting bodies up Banks onto Hopkin who is pro active getting after the ball forcing a throw the ball down the line giving attacker Evie Nicholls something to attack her cross blocked by Cambridge captain, Lauren Rouse back off Nicholls for the goal kick. Hopkin coming left on for Nicholls wide cuts inside before delivering a cross into the top of the area, Jess McCrae making the central one not quite able to get to it, Beatrice Rogers clears for Cambridge.

Cambridge break on the left forcing a corner kick, the delivery low into the near post defended knocked back out to the left the corner taker sending the ball back into the box, Histon get it out to the right a blistering shot fired in on the angle from 25 yards, Histon keeper, Keeley Robinson down sharply to he left to parry it away across the six yard by Emilia Reinhardt snatching at the rebound sending the ball narrowly wide of the post.

Histon’s McCrae taking a blow inside the box as Histon sought to clear their lines, holding her nose, needing to come off for better treatment an early change a straight swap with Hannah Seymour-Shove taking her place in midfield. 10 minutes played looks to have settled into an even contest both sides with combative players on the middle the ball hotly contested. Both sides using the wings Cambridge from a throw high on the right wining a corner fired in central attacked turned onto the far post lifted back in across goal, plucked down into her gloves by the rising keeper.

Banks battling for the ball for Histon linking up well with Hopkin to Marden left taking it to the by-line her cross cut back into the top of the six yard box behind Nicholls central, Collins rushing in far side can’t quite get a touch Cambridge getting it out of their box to the right Davies up with Seymour-Shove the strike sent it from the angle races wide past the far post.

Histon getting after the ball Hopkin imposing herself finding Marden again on the left taking the ball to the by-line her cross swerving behind. Cambridge win the ball central Tally Miles to Coupar on for Reinhardt the young attacker getting on the move knocking the ball on moving right, one touch too many however giving Page the opportunity to get hold of the ball turn it forwards for Histon.

Cambridge with a throw on the right helped on into the middle Edgar taking it into her stride shooting from distance a little swerve on the ball Robinson right behind it however with the blocking save at her feet. Collins combining with Hopkin top of the Cambridge are, Beeson getting the challenge in the ball knocked out wide, an angled shot driven it towards goal, Webb with the smart save down well to her left to push the ball to the left, Histon with players up rush to close it down Marden has it from the angle goes for goal 25 yards out her effort looping up and over the keeper but onto the roof of the net.

Miles sending a great ball into the right channel for Curson, Claire Krueger getting back on her shoulder strong to see the ball back to her keeper to clear. Histon captain stepping out to close down Reinhardt before she can get the past out to Thomas O’Keefe to the left, Banks and Edgar two midfielders who like to get stuck in going toe to toe the latter drawing the foul on halfway. Hopkin getting forwards into right channel fed wide the cross lifted up into the near post, Nicholls rising to attack it twisting in the air can’t get enough of the ball her attempt dropping wide.

Webb needing to stay alert her defence pressed back at times Histon attacking right Davies to Collins an angled ball lofted on towards goal the Cambridge keeper grabbing it down on her line.

Seymour-Shove on through the middle to Collins looks to pick out Nicholls ahead of her the pass intercepted by Rogers. Midway through the 1st half shaping up to be a close game Histon looking strong confident, Cambridge with players who can hurt you however get on down the left to win a corner, swung into the near post behind off the keeper for another corner. A dangerous ball in across goal attacked but a foul spotted by the referee Histon have the free-kick.

Robinson out to get down to claim the ball into her body as Coupar coming right with the ball attempts to pick out Curson ahead of her. Histon counter through the middle Hopkin sending Nicholls in behind the centre backs, Webb seeing it racing out to the top of her area to pressure the striker the ball goes beyond her to keeper’s left, Collins trying to win the race to the loose ball, Webb having not gone to ground, able to recover get back to slide onto the ball.

Webb the busier of the two goalkeepers, taking a cross/shot as her near post as Histon attack a throw on the left. Hopkins running in to close the ball down, is loose for Banks to get hold of outside the area drags her shot from range wide. Rouse onto the ball for Cambridge played on for Coupar pulling into the right channel, Krueger closing her down tackling for Histon.

Seymour-Shove putting the ball on for Marden left wing driving to the by-line her cross turned behind by Rouse for the corner. Fired in low to the near post Cambridge don’t clear a little scrappy at the back as Hopkins and Collins she snatched shots blocked, space looks to open up a Nicholls gets hold of it inside the D, but her touch a fraction heavy sees Rogers stabbing it away to safety.

Cambridge making a change  with 10 minutes left in the first half, Curson coming off, Annabel Ferguson sent on. Collins right side tees up Banks 25 yards out her strike flashing over the crossbar. Miles putting the ball into Townsend left side her cross inside cut out by Leyland, back with Cambridge on the left the angled shot straight at the keeper. Histon pressing on the right getting a throw, Collins surging on to the by-line, Townsend back to defend conceding the throw in the corner.

Couper seeing the ball into her feet on halfway with a good turn on the ball to release it into space on the left for Thomas O’Keefe to attack, Davies though getting there first to defend for Histon. Cambridge a little disjointed at times, up against an experienced back line who keep a disciplined shape the final ball not finding its mark. Leyland intercepting as Miles attempts to send Reinhardt in behind.

 Half-time Cambridge United WFC 0-0 Histon Ladies

 The sides heading back to the changing rooms level at the break, both keepers making saves but on the whole has been a competitive tussle Histon working hard to press the ball get players on feeling the more confident having gone toe to toe with a side playing two leagues above. Will they be able to keep those energy levels up for the 2nd half is the question, Cambridge not as settled disjointed on occasion no less competitive haven’t got the numbers on in the final 3rd as their defence is pushed back. Lively should the scores stay level it’ll be decided on penalties.

The lights starting to take effect as the sun drops low on the horizon, no changes for either side as Cambridge get the 2nd half underway. A long ball into the left wing seen out for an early Histon throw. Townsend linking up with O’Keefe on the left for Cambridge her cross cleared by Leyland. Is a feisty edge to the game, Histon putting themselves about Cambridge frustrated, Nicholls fouling her marker as Collins looks to pick her out with the pass on the right.

Hopkin turns on the ball 25 yards out scooping it forwards for Nicholls, Rogers winning the header for Cambridge. Davies in to close Reinhardt down as the pacy attacker looks to get after the ball fed into the left flank. Robinson comes rushing out to the top of her box to clear the ball, falls invitingly to Thomas O’Keefe 25 yards out her shot just wide of the left post.

Krueger getting in the way to block as strike from Reinhardt top of the Histon area as she steals onto a slack goal kick. The attacker forced wide getting another bite at her her shot low claimed by the keeper. Histon with a free-kick deep on the left up to the top of the area Townsend blocks a shot. Nicholls picking up the first yellow card of the game as it grows more tense. Both sides making a  change on the hour mark, Firstly Thomas O’Keefe is taken off by Cambridge, on comes Katie Hayes. Davies giving way for Histon on comes Gabriella Giussani. Krueger fouled Cambridge presented with a free-kick 30 plus yards from goal. Banks on it, her ball into the box lacking the pace to trouble the keeper.

Histon making another change Collins coming off, Sabrina Ghosh entering the action. Nicholls looking to get after the Cambridge back line up with Rogers to try and win the ball as Webb comes out to top of the area, Nicholls seeing a snap shot blocked by Rouse, Ghosh after it as it spins into the box, Webb getting back to grab hold of the ball. The game opening up as the clock moves into the final 20 minutes, Edgar with the pass into Coupar going left, Giussani in to block for Histon. The ball spinning central Reinhardt coming off the worse as she looks to win a 50/50 ball with Leyland.

The substitutes looking to add energy to the game getting a little stretched as others tire a couple of Histon players down with cramp. Reinhardt almost steals through central as Coupar cuts the early cross inside from the left, only a good starting position from Robinson denies her a chance to shoot the keeper out to the top of her box to claim first. Townsend tackling to win the ball well as Nicholls looks to link up with Ghosh out on the left.

Banks over a free-kick out wide on the right angled in across goal no one getting a touch until it passes the far post out for a goal kick. Collins coming back on to replace Marden. The spectre of penalties looming neither side wanting to concede now. Nicholls keeps running at the Cambridge defence driving left Townsend back defending. Leyland winning the ball up the other end for Histon as Miles looks to feed it on through the middle for Couper.

Histon firing a dangerous cross in along the face of the Cambridge goal out for a corner on the left. The ball swung in cleared back out to the left sent back into the middle headed away to the right a high ball struck from the right of the D taken by the keeper. Hopkin coming off for Histon, McCrae back on. Histon getting the ball on right side Ghosh to Nicholls pressing to get into the box left side, seeing the ball drop over her shoulder, Webb stands up well to grab it low before the striker can attack it. 

  Into the final quarter hour, Reinhardt with a late tackle on Krueger no foul given. Couper up central pressing the ball out to Hayes left flank down the line for Reinhardt, driving on checks inside to turn into the box moving across the top of the six yard box, strikes the ball rising, Robinson with a great catch taking the ball firmly above her head. Histon starting to tire the game stretched Nicholls still full of running up to but not getting the players up with her. Reinhardt up the other end looking to put herself about get after the ball. Banks picking out Collins on the flank her ball into the near post cut out by Rouse.

  Page coming off for Histon, Mollie Childerley coming on. A heavy tackle late on McCrae central but up on her feet okay. Coupar taking on the ball as it evades Giussani at the back to the left comes back inside to find room for a shot top of the D, Giussani in the way to put in the block. Krueger cutting a threaded ball out at the back for Histon. The clock ticking down a little edgy now, Cambridge with some urgency in their game. Ferguson taken off replaced by Curson. Giussani cutting out a cross-field pass from Miles to the left.

  Coupar taking the ball left on for Townsend racing on up the wing her cross close to the by-line turned behind by the rising Leyland, gets a shove in the back from Reinhardt hardly necessary, Leyland landing hard down needing treatment, no action taken. The corner swept long into the area, a foul spotted Histon getting the free-kick this time. Curson for Cambridge sends the ball on for Coupar coming right, Childerley in to close her down. Hayes down off the ball after a late challenge from Banks, play stopped so she can receive treatment a painful blow needs to come off, Millie Docking coming on. 

 Not long left moving into stoppage time Nicholls digging a shot away on the angle from the left, Webb behind it all the way. Nicholls given the ball by Ghosh taking it left to the by-line cutting the cross back in to the area across goal, Collins stretching for it the ball wide past the post. Collins pulling up with cramp, comes off Hopkin returning to the pitch with penalties in mind. Ghosh lobbing the ball forwards Webb out to the top of her area to claim. Miles back to win the ball in defence as Histon press late into the game. The ball away for a throw high on the right seconds left taken quickly a dangerous ball flashed into the six yard box Nicholls attacking it with her head at the back post strikes the upright with the very last touch of the game as the final whistle blows the Invitation Cup final going to penalties.

Full Half-time Cambridge United WFC 0-0 Histon Ladies

 Good chances for both sides in the 2nd half of a hard fought contest but as the clock ticked down penalties looked the more likely outcome Histon working hard all game to keep Cambridge out getting on themselves well the game stretched as players tired a penalty shootout a lottery.

Penalties

  Histon to open the penalty shootout going first, Nicholls stepping up to place the ball on the spot a confident strike low to the keepers left to open the scoring 1-0.

  Edgar up first for Cambridge hit with power rising high into the back of the net before the diving keeper can reach it 1-1.

  Hopkin is up next for Histon a well struck ball high past the keeper before she could react 2-1.

  Miles taking Cambridge’s 2nd penalty, cool sends the keeper the wrong way to strike it in low to the left of goal 2-2.

  Seymour-Shove up next for Histon a low strike racing over the line makes it 3-2.

  The pressure building as Coupar walks up to take Cambridge’s 3rd penalty hit hard powered past the keeper before she can react 3-3.

  McCrae up next for Histon gets lift on her penalty rising creeps in under the bar to make it 4-3.

 Thomas O’Keefe up next for Cambridge runs up and turns in despair as she sends the ball high over the cross bar 4-3.

 Histon can win it with their 5th penalty, up comes captain, Leyland, the centre back putting her foot through the ball buries it to seal the win 5-3.

 Histon Ladies winning on penalties to win this season’s Cambridgeshire Women’s Invitation Cup and cap a history making season with a double. Working hard from the off to compete with Cambridge taking them all the way to a shootout and emerging victorious. Cambridge gutted no doubt it might feel great to win on penalties but being on the losing side is a tough. Ends a tough season one to forget, a new look squad is being shaped and with a new home to look forward to next season have plenty to look forwards too.

Women’s Football East – Player of the Match

 Onto the Women’s Football East – Player of the Match, as usual not an easy call although a couple of candidates put themselves to the forefront early on and stayed there, a few performances to mention first. For Cambridge, Mollie Coupar looked to get forwards use the ball with some good balls to try and release teammates, Sammy Edgar strong in the middle looked to give Cambridge some drive, Lauren Webb reading the game her defence pushed back at time took control of the ball. For Histon as they were on Sunday the whole side worked hard to close the ball down got on well and kept the pressure off there defence. Claire Krueger winning her tackles at the back, Hannah Seymour-Shove getting after the ball in the middle. Tash Collins making several good runs on the right and through the middle. Evie Nicholls was a constant threat making runs into the channel, pulling off the defence. Molly Banks with a strong midfield performance getting after the ball pushing Histon on. Narrowly misses out the award going to Sophie Hopkin put herself about early on to close the ball down high link up the attack and keep Histon up the pitch.

Congratulations to Histon Ladies on winning the 2025/26 Cambridgeshire Women’s Invitation Cup and for your historic double.

  Another entertaining cup final from Cambridgeshire, a good crowd anticipating a close final on the whole and got one. Good to catch up with so many familiar faces my thanks to those who helped with the team details a quick turn around heading back to Cambridgeshire this evening for the Junior Invitation Final between Soham Town Rangers Ladies and Newmarket Town Women Development at Soham, the pair drawing 3-3 at the weekend in Division One.

by Darren Gilham